Hand mixing is the more economical on the farm unless a large amount
of work is to be done at one time. Few tools need be purchased, and,
as a rule, only farm help need be employed. The following tools will
be needed in mixing and placing plain concrete: Two or more square-end
short-handled shovels, 1 heavy garden rake, 1 sprinkling can or bucket
(if a hose is not available), 1 52-gallon barrel, 2 wheelbarrows with
metal trays, 1 sand screen (Fig. 8), 1 tamper (Fig. 9), 1 wood float or
trowel (Fig. 10), measuring boxes (Fig. 11), mixing board (Fig. 12), 1
spader (Fig. 13). The number of shovels and wheelbarrows needed will
depend upon the size of the batch, number of men mixing, and the layout
of the work. Long-handled pointed shovels will be found more convenient
at the sand and gravel piles.
A bottomless box is necessary for convenient and accurate measurement
of the sand and gravel. Where wheelbarrow measurement of materials is
practiced, as in charging a mixer, the capacity of the wheelbarrow
should be determined by use of a measuring box. The box may be made as
illustrated in Figure 11, from boards 12 inches wide. The dimensions in
Table 2 are of boxes for use in measuring quantities for mixtures of
various proportions, assuming that one bag of cement is used in a batch.
If two bags are used in a batch the boxes should be filled twice.
[Illustration: Fig. 8.--Sand screen.]
[Illustration: Fig. 9.--Tampers.]
[Illustration: Fig. 10.--Wooden float.]
[Illustration: Fig. 11.--Measuring box.]
[Illustration: Fig. 12.--Mixing Board.]
[Illustration: Fig. 13.--Spading tool.]